A Seat at the Table Books, LLC Hiring for Barista/Bookseller at Elk Grove, CA Full Time

A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA, is looking for a Barista-Bookseller to join our team. One year of coffee shop barista experience is preferred. Candidates must be eager to work in all three areas of our business: the bookstore, the cafe, and community events. This staff members will help to ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of our cafe, work alongside other front-of-house staff, recommend books, and engage with customers, all through the lenses of social justice and community.

A Seat at the Table Books is passionately dedicated to inclusion and equity. Members of our staff take action to make a positive difference every day and inspire others to do the same, have experience advancing social justice, and accept feedback on their own blind spots. They take ownership in this small, family-owned business, do not take sick leave unless they are sick, and keep their commitments. They love reading and are passionate about recommending books to others.

In line with our mission and values, we are committed to creating a workplace that includes staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Members of all marginalized groups, such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please contact us! Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal state and local ordinances.

Depending on the shift, this position may involve hours on Monday to Sunday between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. This position will involve 20-30 hours per week, mostly scheduled Wednesday through Sunday. We make an effort to give staff who request it two days off in a row.

The offered wage is $15.00 per hour. All tips are split among on-site staff members who have fully completed their training hours. Benefits include:

• Inclusive work environment and company culture
• 30% discount on food, beverages, books, and merchandise
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day guaranteed off due to store closure
• Sick leave provided annually
• PTO accrued per hours worked
• Benefit options for full-time (30+ hours) staff

Required:

• Experience in a food service or retail position
• Highly dependable, shows up to work on time, and doesn’t take sick days unless sick; understands how much a small family business relies on its staff
• Able to uphold commitments: keep promises made to themselves, to customers, and to their coworkers
• Personal experience advocating for social justice for one or more specific groups or populations; expertise in the current social justice needs of one or more populations
• Affirming of all marginalized identities, e.g., BIPOC, transgender, and neurodivergent
• Willing and eager to learn more and uncover blind spots; non-defensive
• Attuned to situations when people are being intentionally or unintentionally excluded or discriminated against
• Able to name favorite genres and enthusiastically recommend specific books; read regularly and can’t help but talk about the books they enjoy
• Patient with customers of all ages and abilities
• Willingly share responsibility for general cleaning of the store, including but not limited to dusting, public and staff restroom maintenance, vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping

Preferred:

• Confidence to sort, organize, and alphabetize books
• Experience with event coordination/management
• Leadership experience and abilities
• Ability to lift 30-40 pounds
• De-escalation skills
• Willingness to lead book clubs, discussion groups, cultural events, or kids’ activities

As part of this role, you will:

• Follow all state, local, and private company protocols in regards to food safety and general health for the safety of everyone (this includes COVID protocols)
• Proactively communicate your needs and ideas with the management team
• Follow opening and closing task lists to ensure the store operates smoothly
• Count the register before and/or after a shift
• Assist customers by taking their food and beverage orders and ringing up books and merchandise on the store point of sale system
• Create hot, iced, and blended beverages and craft food menu items in the kitchen
• Ensure that brewed coffee and tea are kept fresh and available
• Safely and accurately operate the espresso machine
• Make sure equipment stays clean and fully operational
• Receive and organize food and beverage deliveries
• Sweep, mop, and otherwise clean the store during/after a shift
• Ensure that tables, chairs, the play area, and public areas are promptly cleared of dishes and sanitized after use
• Wash, rinse, sanitize, and properly dry dishes
• Stock the cafe during slower periods of the day
• Organize and alphabetize books
• Create book displays based on themes or publishers with Lead Bookseller
• Assist with store events such as book clubs, kids’ activities, community gatherings, etc. (management will factor employee strengths and interests into your specific responsibilities)
• Assist with other duties as needed

If you’re interested, please apply here on Indeed with both your resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should include information about what social justice means to you and your experiences with social justice advocacy, what experience you have in coffee or food service environments, why our mission matters to you, and what books or literature that you enjoy and why.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Paid training

Restaurant type:

• Coffee shop

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Masks are encouraged. All staff must be vaccinated against COVID.

Application Question(s):

• Why are you applying for this specific job?
• How have you advanced social justice in your work, education, or personal life?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: One location